John Brittas Urges Centre to Upgrade FCI Storage, Prevent Food grain Losses

New Delhi: MP John Brittas has written to Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi seeking urgent intervention to prevent foodgrain wastage at FCI godowns and to enhance scientific storage facilities. He pointed out that in states with heavy rainfall and high atmospheric humidity, such as Keralam, lakhs of tonnes of foodgrains are still being kept in unscientific "Cover and Plinth" (CAP) storage — essentially open-air arrangements.

With the southwest monsoon now active, grain stored in the open faces a heightened risk of spoilage. As pointed out in audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General and by a 2014 high-level committee, storing grain in open spaces leads to significant financial losses and spoilage of foodgrains. Instead of spending funds on building and maintaining temporary platforms and sheets, Brittas said, resources should be directed towards constructing permanent steel silos and scientific warehouses capable of regulating temperature.

He noted that the Supreme Court itself had observed in 2010 that steps must be taken to ensure grain reaching the people is not allowed to rot in godowns. Brittas demanded that, on the model of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana implemented during the COVID period, consumer states like Keralam be allotted more foodgrains either free of cost or at subsidised rates. He also called for urgent and favourable steps from the Union Ministry to prevent the wastage of foodgrains and to ensure the country's food security.